Become a Volunteer
Your time is also a critical component of running our
programs and volunteer positions are always available. You can donate your
time in our office, put together a Teen Feed Meal Team, or become a youth
advocate. For more information on volunteer opportunities, please contact
Jaime at jaime@teenfeed.org.
Advocates
These responsible adult volunteers are the heart of
our Teen Feed program. The first step to volunteer involvement with USM is
attending the Teen Feed Orientation, held each first Thursday of the month
from 5 - 6:30pm at University Congregational Church. Email
jaime@teenfeed.org for more
information and to RSVP. Volunteers then receive more support and
instruction through "The Ropes" - a University District-wide volunteer
training. Trainees receive skills in listening and interacting with the
youth they may share a weekly meal with. Advocates are selected during an
informal interview process, and they must be able to commit to two hours a
week, for a minimum period of six months. For information on or to register
for upcoming dates, please email
jaime@teenfeed.org.
Food Team Members
People of all ages can participate on a meal team.
Food Team Members provide food (either purchased or donated), cook and serve
the meals and clean the kitchen when done. We have specific nutritional
suggestions to help our food team members plan their meal. This commitment
ranges from once a month to once every three months. Food Team Members
average three hours a month, with teams consisting of 5-15 (max) members.
Average cost per meal (serving 30-50 youth) is $150.
STOP Outreach Volunteers
Street Talk Outreach Program (STOP) Volunteers
accompany our STOP Coordinator on outreach Sunday and Monday evenings.
STOP walks around the University District, striking up conversations with
youth who are homeless or street-involved -- offering support, basic needs
items like socks and food, and connecting youth leery of traditional
services to programs that can help them. STOP volunteers are often
young adults who have experiences homelessness themselves, however any
caring and responsible adult is welcome to see if this volunteer position
may be the right fit for them!
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